Glossary / Notes

Reading 15 (Vespers, Processions)

When the hour of Vespers has arrived, the
sacristan shall strike
the admonition. When it has been struck, the junior brothers who want to, after replacing their books, shall
go to the dormitory to relieve the necessities of the
body. They should always do this before the hour so that they are not compelled to leave on account of
that necessity; nevertheless, those who because of it (that necessity) have gone out, shall return
quickly. And they shall see in advance, that they are always present in the processions of the convent, whether going in the refectory, or in the dormitory, or to whichever place they must go. No one shall appear to
or meet the convent either going (somewhere) or returning, and if by chance someone has been busy, he
shall enter the procession according to his ordo, and after the procession is finished, he may go if it is necessary.

If the vigils for the dead have to be said on the same day,
they shall say them slowly. If however they are not to be said, after the
Lord's Prayer
has been said and the prior has struck the stall, the priest shall begin the vespers of the blessed Mary. When these are finished, and the ringing of the bells is quiet, with the candlesand lamps lit, if they have to be lit, and the
Lord's Prayer
said, they shall begin the other vespers, which as well as all canonical hours, as it has been
said for the Matins, must be sung slowly and with a raised voice. With these things done, the brothers
shall wait for the dinner hour in silence, but before
that those who want shall relieve the necessities of the body, and just as it is said about lunch,
they shall go to the lavabo, and shall dine in the
refectory. And afterwards, going to the church they shall give thanks by singing
Miserere
, after which they shall go into the cloister to
sit in silence and shall have their books. Then, as it
was said for lunch, the servers, gathering at once, shall dine.